El Día de la Independencia de Chile

Well, like most of South American countries, every year we have the chance to celebrate and remember the historical events which took place almost two hundred years ago related with the attainment of our freedom from Spanish rule. In the previous letter I wrote you, I mentioned in general terms how we got rid of Spanish and took them out of South America.

Abrazo de Maipu (at Maipu's famous hug)

In general, Chileans are quite lively but if we compare us with brasileños (Brazilians), we seem to be a little bit cold (could you believe that?). Everything changes when September 18th comes. All the people look even more friendly or glad, and that’s because we have almost a whole week to rest and have fun. In every house there is a Chilean flag fluttering indicating that September is the month of independence. At elementary schools and high schools, children and adolescent participate in special activities related with these festivities. So, The “fiestas patrias” (literally “patriotic parties”) are a time for all Chileans to gather together and celebrate their country, culture, and independence. Celebrations of all things Chilean center on their independence day.

Sept 18th at Osorno

The 18th, or “dieciocho,” is celebrated during a week full of fiestas patrias. This includes parades, dances, drinking, eating traditional Chilean food, and music. Parades include “huasos“, the traditional Chilean cowboys, music, and displays of national pride.

Fonda de Osorno

Much of the celebrations occur in “ramadas“, temporary open buildings with thatched roofs traditionally made from tree branches. Ramadas feature a dance floor, music, and tables to eat. In the past, around two hundred years ago, people from country side were particularly known for celebrating “fiestas patrias” this way. In the modern Chile, it is more suitable to talk about “fondas” or refreshment stands, offering a wide variety of Chilean food including empanadas, anticuchos (shish kabobs), chicha (alchoholic drink), and more.

Empanadas & Vino Chileno

Okay, there are three things which are directly associated with dieciocho and they are “empanadas, ” “vino” &  “cueca.”  Empanadas are probably (and even ironically-funny to mention) some dish derivation of a Spanish food.  They reminded me to those Chinese dumplings I tried at NSU once. At that time Chinese boiled them… I think I didn’t like them because of that.  Empanadas are quite similar but quite bigger, and they can be put in the oven and baked or even fried.  It is possible to find “empanadas de pino,” turnover stuffed with diced beef, onions, raisins, olive, and hard boiled egg. There are also “empanadas de marisco” (instead of beef… they use seafood) and my favourite ones, “empanadas de queso,” turnover filled with cheese and usually fried. Vino (wine) is surely one of the most emblematic characteristic of Chilean products.  Unfortunately, I am not good enough to appreciate Chilean wine because I do not drink very often, but everybody loves our wine.   😀

Matias, The Chilean Huaso! ♪

I went to Osorno and stayed there the whole weekend celebrating with my friends.  We had lunch together and tried some traditional food.  At that moment, I was wearing some plaster on my wrist because I had broken it some weeks ago.   It was quite strange and funny to do all those common activities like eating and writing with my left hand.  It is just like getting use to it.  Actually, I managed to use my left hand properly, except by drawing.  That was impossible.

Matias con brazo enyesado

A Chinese friend of mine “Mario” and her girlfriend participated in a Cueca Contest.  I taught him some moves and guess what! he got the third place! ♫  It was very funny to see a Chinese guy dancing cueca… and he did quite well!  after that, we visited a Traditional “Fonda”,  and we ate some empanadas, and danced a lot…!  Some dance groups performed all Chilean traditional dances including those from Easter Island.  Obviously, I danced every kind of music style they put on!

Cueca

Well, if there is something I really like it is cueca.  Like every country, there is a particular traditional dance which is very popular.  I am pretty sure that Korea also does have one right? What is particular from South American dances, as I probably mentioned to you before, is the idea of “cortejo” – courtship –  (wooing, the attempt to make a woman or man to fall in love with you).  In fact, I am almost sure that almost a 99% of South American dances are meant to be danced by couples (isn’t that cool? I couldn’t conceive not having a lovely woman to dance with! ♥).  Thus, Cueca is not an exception.   In the following picture, you can see me dancing like a real Chilean should do… with a lovely partner. I am wearing a typical cowboy hat, but I didn’t get a complete costume… lol  Anyways, it doesn’t matter when you can make a good performance dancing ! ♫ and I try hard to make it alright! ♥

I surely can dance the whole night ♫

The man tries to make the woman to notice him while he uses a handkerchief.  He moves the handkerchief while he performs some dance steps around the woman.  Obviously, he needs to be quite brave and passionate to success.  The problem is that the  woman doesn’t seem interested at first.  She just smiles and tries to avoid the man’s advances towards her.  That’s why he must persist and follows her not letting escape… that’s quite funny.  There is just when the audience must clap to cheer up the man! ♫  Little by little the woman begins to smile and show her charming joy.  She subtly accepts the man’s advances while joining to the rhythm of his moves until they get together…! ♥  Probably, cueca shows somehow our romantic and persistent personality when it is about falling in love with a charming and lovely woman like you (for instance ;-D ).

Cueca de Salon

There are different types of cuecas, depending of the geographical situation.  The following one is the classic cueca.  The huaso and the huasa are wearing a formal dress.  it is not the popular one, but surely the one you see in most of important events.

Traditional Cueca

In traditional and classic cueca, the man invites the woman to dance.  As you can see below, the costume is quite different for the woman and sometimes for the man too.  I personally preffer this one because the woman’s dress is more colorful, and the cueca itselfs can be sometimes even more interesting (in the sense that the man can perform more straight or direct dance moves as an attempt to show his interest towards the lady.

Cueca Chora

This is a more contemporary cueca style.  I guess it comes from Chilean central part near the capital city.  It is called “chora” (because it means to be direct, to dare) so the man and the woman are evidently more passionate for make his or her partner to fall in love.  You can see that they are wearing modern clothes (and I really regret for not having remembered to perform this cueca style at NsU when Lin Lin asked me to do it).  It shares some similarities with “Tango” in the way that Woman and Men are trying to seduce and vividly show their passion as a way to impress the other person.  In addition, the women dress is quite provocative and beautiful isn’t it?

Armed Forces Day

Army parade

The day after Independence Day is also a national holiday. Armed Forces day includes military and naval parades and events celebrating Chile’s military victories including their independence.  Personally, I don’t like army and all that weapons stuff, but it is quite relevant to mention that Chilean pride is also strongly related by our previous victories during our independence period and the post independence period too.  There were several battles against Spanish, Peruvians and Bolivians for a long time.  We were known for our naval strength, but also a deep braveness in the war.  The most precious traditional emblem for us is Chilean flag.  It represents a strong affection towards our nation and freedom.  That’s why Chilean soldiers had the pride to say that they never gave up during battle and even died protecting their flag.

In brief, I really wish that someday you could come and celebrate this festivities with me, that should be really great!  what are you waiting for??  🙂

Ven a Chile!! Come !

~ by rubiocroft on September 24, 2009.